Quarterback Kenny Pickett, currently with the Cleveland Browns, is at the center of increasing <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL trade speculation ahead of the 2025 regular season. Although Pickett returned to the AFC North this preseason, recent reports suggest a possible move to the NFC East, with the Dallas Cowboys among teams expressing interest in adding the young signal-caller.
Pickett’s Current Standing and Injury Status in Cleveland
Pickett has not played in the Browns’ preseason games due to a hamstring injury sustained during training camp on July 26, limiting his practice participation. As a result, he will miss the third week of preseason action, effectively sidelining him for the entire exhibition period. Cleveland’s head coach, Kevin Stefanski, confirmed Pickett is progressing in his recovery, but the quarterback’s lack of game reps has fueled uncertainty about his role moving forward.
Acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2025 in exchange for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth–round draft pick, Pickett entered the offseason optimistic about winning Cleveland’s starting quarterback job. However, the Browns changed course by signing veteran Joe Flacco and drafting rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, all competing for playing time behind Flacco’s newly confirmed starting status.
The Browns’ Quarterback Depth and Trade Possibilities
With Joe Flacco officially named the starter for Week 1, the Browns face a crowded quarterback room that includes Pickett and two rookie backups. CBS Sports analyst Tyler Sullivan pointed out the challenge for Cleveland in retaining all four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, which could force the team to consider trades to avoid limiting development opportunities for Gabriel and Sanders.
“Joe Flacco is officially QB1 in Cleveland. That now leaves Pickett along with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in reserve roles behind him,”
Sullivan wrote, highlighting the logjam on the Browns’ depth chart.
“The Cowboys could be in the QB2 market after Joe Milton III has endured a hot-and-cold preseason where he’s thrown interceptions in both exhibitions.”
With Pickett’s role unclear, and Cleveland yet to name a backup quarterback to start the regular season, the first-round pick from 2022 could become a trade candidate as the Browns narrow their roster ahead of the August 26 cutdown.
Potential Trade Destinations: Cowboys and Vikings Interest
The Dallas Cowboys have emerged as a logical destination for Pickett, given their need for a reliable backup behind starter Dak Prescott. Joe Milton III’s inconsistent preseason performance has reportedly heightened the Cowboys’ interest in bringing in an experienced quarterback to provide depth and competition.
In addition to Dallas, the Minnesota Vikings have also been linked to Pickett in trade discussions. Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay suggested the Browns might trade Pickett to the Vikings for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick, viewing the move as a way for Cleveland to recoup value given the evolving quarterback situation.
“The Browns may have only just acquired Kenny Pickett earlier in the offseason for a fifth-round pick and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but they might already be looking to salvage some value from a potential failed trade,”
Kay observed.
“With Pickett dealing with injuries during training camp—and failing to distinguish himself in the Browns’ high-profile four-man QB positional battle when healthy—his time in Cleveland could be extremely limited.”
In Minnesota, Pickett would serve as a seasoned backup behind rookie starter J.J. McCarthy, adding valuable experience to the Vikings’ quarterback room. Entering the last year of his rookie contract, Pickett carries a guaranteed salary of approximately $2.6 million for the 2025 season, though this figure is not expected to heavily influence the Browns’ trade decisions.
Implications of a Possible Trade Before the Season
If the Browns decide to trade Pickett before the regular season begins, it will mark the third trade involving the quarterback in just 18 months since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. Pickett’s journey from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, then Cleveland, and potentially elsewhere reflects his shifting standing in NFL quarterback hierarchies.
For the Cowboys or Vikings, acquiring Pickett presents an opportunity to secure a young quarterback with starting experience and upside as a backup option. Meanwhile, the Browns’ decision will be closely watched, as it signals the organization’s commitment to developing their younger quarterbacks without roster congestion.
Kenny Pickett’s future in the NFL remains unsettled as the preseason concludes, with trade discussions set to intensify as teams finalize their rosters. His next move will be critical both for his career trajectory and the quarterback dynamics of the involved franchises.